Text Box: The Mission: North Florida School is dedicated to improving the academic, social and vocational lives of students with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. HomeAbout UsAdmissionsEventsGiving & InvolvementInformationContact Us

 

Text Box: Something has alerted you that your child needs a special school - a warm and supportive environment in which to learn and develop. North Florida School designs each student's educational program based on the child's strengths, weaknesses and needs.  We believe children can learn, adapt and succeed with appropriate support in a happy, safe and nurturing setting.  North Florida School's program is delivered through an integrated team approach involving the teacher, teaching assistant, and speech/language, physical and occupational therapy and social work staff.  In addition, North Florida School teaches the life skills needed for students to become active members of society.  Our older students learn to function in the world around us through volunteer opportunities and work experience that includes coaching and supervision.  It is our hope that our students' futures will include employment, self care and living as independently as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A to Z Information

Attendance: Consistent attendance is very important in a successful school and therapy program.

Bad Weather: North Florida School will not have school on the days that a hurricane warning is announced for our area.  We will follow the Duval County School closing policy.

Curriculum: North Florida School focuses on the goals outlined in the IEP of each student enrolled.  These include academic, social, emotional, behavioral and transitional needs as well as appropriate life skills.

Dates: School will be in session a minimum of 175 days, August through June.  Observation of school holidays and emergency school closings will follow the Duval County Public Schools calendar and procedures.

Extended Day: Before school care is offered from 7:30 a.m., and after school care is available from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.   After care is offered at Hope Haven until 6:00 p.m.  Transportation is available for a fee and is run by Hope Haven.

Financial Assistance: The Board of Directors sets aside funds to help families who are unable to pay the School’s full tuition.  Please contact the Executive Director for further information.           

Graduation/Awards:  The annual All School Awards Ceremony and Graduation is held in June. Each student receives an award, entertainment is provided by the students and graduates receive their certificate.

Hours: School hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.    Students may arrive after 8: 45 a.m.

Illness: Colds, coughs and other illnesses do occur.  If your child is going to miss school, please call 724-8323 before 9:00 a.m. If a student becomes ill during the school day and it is necessary for him/her to go home, the school will contact the parents or the emergency contact number provided to the school.

Jobs: Students gain experience through volunteer jobs and work at a variety companies including: Publix, Embassy Suites, The Atrium, Ocean Side Cleaners, Hobby Lobby, Proctor Ace Hardware, Oak Lawn Cemetery and others.

Kindness: An essential quality found in our faculty and staff.

Lunch: Students need to bring a nutritious lunch daily unless otherwise announced.

McKay Scholarship:  North Florida School accepts the McKay Scholarship to help cover the cost of tuition.  For more information, please go to the web site: www.floridaschoolchoice.org.

Nurturing: The staff of North Florida School believes in providing an environment that nurtures the individual student and provides opportunities for each child to develop his/her own interests and potential.

Observing Class: Parents are welcome to visit and volunteer at the School.  Please make prior arrangements with the teacher or administrator.

Parent Conferences:  We welcome our parent/guardian partnerships and utilize phone and scheduled conferences as needed.  We have a yearly IEP conference for each student.

Quality: We strive to promote quality of life through an upbeat, positive learning and working environment for our students and their families at North Florida School.     

Ratio: Five students for one teacher or assistant

Status: North Florida School is registered with the State Department of Education, is incorporated and qualifies for non profit status under IRS Code 501(c)(3).

Transportation: It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation for students.  Please advise us if you desire information regarding car pools.  Some students use JTA door-to-door transportation.  We can provide information on qualifying.  Call 904-265-6999.

Upbeat: Our North Florida School community.

Volunteer: North Florida School requires each student’s family to volunteer 10 hours each school year.  Volunteer opportunities are varied and can include: chaperoning on a field trip, acting as a student’s reading mentor, helping at the Fall Festival and at our friend raising events the Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction and/or Fine Arts Festival.  Other opportunities include the fall Greenery & Cookie Dough Sale, Peterbrooke Chocolate Sale and NFS 1Mile Fun Walk.

Winter Break: December 22, 2008- January 5, 2009

Year Book: North Florida School publishes a Year Book annually and includes photos of our students, faculty and staff.

Zoo: Field trips are planned each year and have in the past included visits to the Cummer Museum and Gardens, the Jacksonville Zoological Park, the Museum of Science and History, and many other educational points of interest.

 

Our Curriculum

North Florida School has classes serving students from ages 7 through 22:
·         Elementary School
·         Middle School
·         Junior High School
·         Senior High School
·         Transition Program Track I
·         Transition Program Vocational Track II

Our program includes:
·         Academics
·         Social Skills Instruction
·         Independent Living Instruction
·         Vocational Experience and Training
·         Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy

·         Public Outings/Field Trips
·         Community Service

North Florida School is committed to providing a comprehensive individualized education plan for each student that meets his/her academic needs and sets realistic goals.

Upon completion of Senior High School our older students can move on to either of our Transitional Program Tracks.  This program prepares older students to become contributing members of our community.